More than 60 caravans have parked up at an Aberdeen beauty spot for a week-long Christian religious festival.
Around 150 members of the travelling community have also pitched a marquee at Torry’s Walker Park – directly beneath Girdle Ness lighthouse – after a deal to hold the event on private land at Kingswells fell through.
At the last minute, Aberdeen City Council agreed that the evangelical Light and Life Missions Church could host its convention at the scenic coastal site, which is right next to the Nigg Bay Golf Club.
Despite fears from local residents that the event could cause unwanted mess, councillors last night said they had been assured by the travellers that they would leave the site how they found it.
It is understood the organisers have extended an invite to anyone in the area who wants to attend.
Members of the local authority have also visited the site to see for themselves how the convention is progressing, and it is understood police will be keeping a close eye during the five days.
City finance convener Willie Young said that if they had not offered to accommodate the group of caravans, they might have ended up camping across the city at unauthorised spots.
The convention was last held in Aberdeen in 2010 at Calder Park, Cove.
The local community council said they were apprehensive about the event.
But, in the end, the travellers were praised for the way they cleaned-up the site.
Local authority environmental health officers also visited the site and found no problems.
Last night, Torry councillor Graham Dickson said he hoped this year’s event would be as successful as the one four years ago.
“We have been given assurances that the site will be left clean and tidy,” he said.
“They seem like respectful people.”
David Fryer, chairman of Torry Community Council, said he hoped the group will stick to their promise.
“We really hope that they will be good neighbours and act in a Christian manner,” he said.